Benvolio

Mercutio

Thou art like one of those fellows that when he

Benvolio

I think it would be a good idea to get out of the streets, Mercutio. When it’s as hot as this, people get easily provoked. There’s lots of Capulets about. I’m afraid that if we run into any of them, we’ll wind up in a fight.

Mercutio

You’re one of those guys who goes into a pub and takes his sword off saying, “I won’t be needing you.” But by the time your second drink is having an effect, you’ve drawn your sword on the bartender for no good reason.

Benvolio

Am I really like that?

enters the confines of a tavern claps me his sword

upon the table and says 'God send me no need of

thee!'; and by the operation of the second cup, draws

him on the drawer, when indeed there is no need.

Benvolio

Am I like such a fellow?

Mercutio

Come, come, thou art as hot a jack in thy mood as

any in Italy; and as soon moved to be moody, and as

soon moody to be moved.

Benvolio

And what to?

Mercutio

Mercutio

You’re as hot-headed as any Italian. You get angry at the smallest provocation, or when you’re feeling angry already, you just look around for something to provoke you.

Benvolio

Provoked to what?

Mercutio

“Provoked two”? No, if there were two of you, there would quickly be none, since they would kill each other. You! Why you would quarrel with a man who has one more or one less hair in his beard than you do. You would quarrel with a man for cracking hazelnuts just because you have hazel eyes. You ask, “Am I really like that?” You are the “I” with an eye for finding quarrels.

Nay, an there were two such, we should have none shortly,

for one would kill the other. Thou! Why, thou wilt quarrel

with a man that hath a hair more, or a hair less, in his

beard, than thou hast. Thou wilt quarrel with a man for

cracking nuts, having no other reason but because thou

hast hazel eyes. What eye, but such an eye would spy out

such a quarrel? Thy head is as full of quarrels as an

Performance

Lines 15-29

[Click to launch video.]

egg is full of meat, and yet thy head hath been beaten

Metaphor

“beaten as addle as an egg”

[Click to see note.]

Metaphor

“beaten as addle as an egg”

Eggs are full of yolk, or "meat." And eggs are "beaten," or whipped before cooking. An "addle" egg is a rotten one—which would be useless for cooking, or in this case, "quarreling." In this line's more metaphorical sense, Mercutio's brains are full of quarrels; resulting in his brains being beaten, making him addle-brained, or confused, and therefore useless in a fight.

as addle as an egg for quarreling. Thou hast

quarreled with a man for coughing in the street,

Word Nerd

"addle"

[Click to launch video.]

because he hath wakened thy dog that hath lain

Mercutio

Your brain is as full with quarrels as an egg is full of yolk, even after your brain’s been scrambled like an egg when you’ve been beaten up for fighting. You fought a guy because he coughed and woke up your dog when it was asleep in the sun. Didn’t you fight with the tailor for wearing his new jacket before Easter, and with another man for putting old laces in his new shoes? And yet you would lecture me about quarreling!

Benvolio

If I were as quick to get into a fight as you, any man should bet that my life will be short.

asleep in the sun. Didst thou not fall out with a

tailor for wearing his new doublet before Easter?

With another, for tying his new shoes with old

riband? And yet thou wilt tutor me from quarreling!

Benvolio

An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man

should buy the fee-simple of my life for an hour and a

quarter.

Mercutio

The fee-simple! O simple!

Metaphor

“fee-simple”

[Click to see note.]

Metaphor

“fee-simple”

Fee-simple is the value of a lease that runs forever. Mercutio is saying that Benvolio's use of a fee-simple metaphor to refer to the value of his life is a "simple" (that is, slow-witted) metaphor.

Benvolio

By my head, here come the Capulets.

Mercutio

Mercutio

A bet! That’s silly.

Benvolio

I swear on my head, here come the Capulets.

Mercutio

I swear on my heel, I don’t give a damn.

Tybalt

[To his companions] Back me up, I’m going to talk to them. [To Benvolio and Mercutio] Gentlemen, good afternoon. I’d like a word with one of you.

By my heel, I care not.

[Enter Tybalt and others]

Tybalt

[To his companions]

Follow me close, for I will speak to them.

[To Benvolio and Mercutio]

Gentlemen, good e’en. A word with one of you.

Mercutio

And but one word, with one of us? Couple it with

something; make it a word and a blow.

Tybalt

You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an you

will give me occasion.

Mercutio

Mercutio

Just one word with one of us? Why not add something to it? Make it a word and a blow.

Tybalt

You’ll find me ready enough for that, sir, if you will give me an excuse.

Mercutio

Can’t you take some excuse, instead of me giving you one?

Tybalt

Mercutio, you hang out with Romeo.

Mercutio

Hang out with him? Do you think we’re a musical group? If so, you’re only going to hear harsh notes from us.

Could you not take some occasion without

giving?

Tybalt

Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo, —

Mercutio

Consort! What, dost thou make us minstrels? An

thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but

discords. [Pointing to his sword] Here's my fiddlestick;

here's that shall make you dance. 'Zounds, consort!

Benvolio

We talk here in the public haunt of men.

Either withdraw unto some private place,

And reason coldly of your grievances,

Mercutio

[Pointing to his sword] Here’s the bow for my fiddle, it’ll make you dance. By God, “consort” you say!

Benvolio

We’re arguing out in public. Remember the Prince’s threat. Either let’s go to some private place where we can discuss your grievances calmly and rationally, or else go our separate ways. Here everyone's looking at us.

Mercutio

Men's eyes were made to look, and let them gaze. I will not budge for any man's preference.

[Enter Romeo]

Tybalt

Well, goodbye, sir. Here comes my man.

Or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us.

Mercutio

Men's eyes were made to look, and let them gaze;

I will not budge for no man's pleasure, I.

[Enter Romeo]

Tybalt

Well, peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man.

Mercutio

But I'll be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery.

Marry, go before to field, he'll be your follower;

Your worship, in that sense, may call him 'man.'

Tybalt

Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford

Mercutio

Your man! I’d be hanged before he would put on the uniform of your manservants. You call him your servant, your follower. Go to the dueling field; he’ll be your “follower” then. He’ll follow you onto the field to give you a proper fight. In that sense, your worship may call him your “follower.”

Tybalt

Romeo, the nicest thing I can say about you is this: you’re a villain.

Romeo

Tybalt, I have reason to love you, and that reason prevents the anger such a remark should provoke. I’m no villain. So goodbye, I see that you don’t really know me.

Tybalt

Boy, what you said won’t excuse the insults that you have given me. So turn around and draw your sword.

No better term than this: thou art a villain.

Romeo

Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee

Doth much excuse the appertaining rage

To such a greeting. Villain am I none.

Therefore farewell; I see thou knowest me not.

Tybalt

Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries

That thou hast done me. Therefore turn and draw.

Romeo

I do protest, I never injured thee,

But love thee better than thou canst devise

Till thou shalt know the reason of my love.

And so, good Capulet — which name I tender

Romeo

I insist, I have never insulted you, and actually have more love for you than you can guess until you understand the reason why. And so, good Capulet--a name I now must value as much as my own--be content with this.

Mercutio

Oh Romeo, what a dishonorable, cowardly surrender! Are you going to let his fancy-named fencing moves win the day? [Draws his sword] Tybalt, you rat catcher, will you have a go with me?

Tybalt

What do you want with me?

As dearly as my own — be satisfied.

Mercutio

O calm, dishonorable, vile submission!

Alla stoccata carries it away.

[Draws]

Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk?

Tybalt

What wouldst thou have with me?

Mercutio

Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives

Allusion

“king of cats”

[Click to see note.]

Allusion

“king of cats”

Once again Mercutio refers to Tybalt as a cat, because of a popular folktale featuring a cat by that name.

that I mean to make bold withal, and, as you shall use

me hereafter, dry beat the rest of the eight. Will you

pluck your sword out of his pilcher by the ears? Make

haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out.

Tybalt

Mercutio

Good king of cats, I just want one of your nine lives, which I intend to abuse, and, depending on how you treat me, I may want to bash the other eight, too. Pluck your frightened sword out of its sack by the ears, and be quick about it or my sword will already be hitting you around the ears.

Tybalt

I’m ready for you.

Romeo

Gentle Mercutio, lower your sword.

Mercutio

Come, sir, show me one of your fancy moves. Show me your passado.

I am for you.

[Drawing]

Romeo

Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.

Mercutio

Come, sir, your “passado”.

[They fight]

Romeo

Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons.

Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!

Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince expressly hath

Forbidden bandying in Verona streets.

Romeo

Draw your sword, Benvolio, and beat down their weapons so they don’t strike each other. Gentlemen, for shame, stop this outrage! Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince expressly forbade fighting in Verona streets. Stop, Tybalt! Stop good Mercutio!

[Tybalt under Romeo's arm stabs Mercutio, and runs away with his followers]

Mercutio

I’ve been hurt. A curse on both your families! I’m done for. Has Tybalt taken off with no injury?

Benvolio

What, are you hurt?

Hold, Tybalt! Good Mercutio!

[Tybalt under Romeo's arm stabs Mercutio, and flies with his followers]

Mercutio

I am hurt.

A plague o' both your houses! I am sped.

Is he gone, and hath nothing?

Benvolio

What, art thou hurt?

Mercutio

Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch; marry, 'tis enough.

Where is my page? Go, villain, fetch a surgeon.

[Exit Page]

Romeo

Courage, man; the hurt cannot be much.

Mercutio

No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church

door; but 'tis enough,'twill serve. Ask for me tomorrow,

Mercutio

It’s just a scratch, a little scratch, but it’s enough to do me in. Where’s my page? Go, fool, fetch a doctor.

Romeo

Have courage, man, it can’t be a serious wound.

Mercutio

No, the wound’s not as deep as a well, nor as wide as a church-door, but it’s enough. It’ll do the job. Ask for me tomorrow, and you will find me a grave man. I am finished for this world. A plague on both your houses! My God, a mere dog, a rat, a mouse, or a cat can scratch a man to death! Some braggart, some rogue, some villain that fights by the book as if he’s solving arithmetic problems! Romeo, why the devil did you come between us? He stabbed me underneath your arm.

and you shall find me a grave man. I am peppered,

Wordplay

“grave”

[Click to see note.]

Wordplay

“grave”

As an adjective, grave means serious. But Mercutio, punning to the last, suggests that they will find him to be a man in his grave.

I warrant, for this world. A plague o' both your houses!

Performance

Lines 95-102

[Click to launch video.]

'Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, a cat, to scratch a man

to death. A braggart, a rogue, a villain, that fights by

the book of arithmetic! Why the devil came you between

us? I was hurt under your arm.

Romeo

I thought all for the best.

Mercutio

Help me into some house, Benvolio,

Or I shall faint. A plague o' both your houses!

They have made worms' meat of me. I have it,

Romeo

I was trying my best to help.

Mercutio

Help me into some house, Benvolio, or I’ll pass out. A plague on both your houses! They’ve made worms' meat of me. I’ve had it, for sure. A plague on your houses!

Romeo

This gentleman, the prince's close relation, my true friend, has been mortally wounded on my behalf. My reputation has been tarnished by Tybalt's slander--Tybalt, who has been my relative by marriage for only an hour!

And soundly too. Your houses!

[Exeunt Mercutio and Benvolio]

Romeo

This gentleman, the prince's near ally,

My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt

In my behalf; my reputation stained

With Tybalt's slander, — Tybalt, that an hour

Hath been my kinsman! O sweet Juliet,

Thy beauty hath made me effeminate

And, in my temper, softened valor's steel!

[Re-Enter Benvolio]

Benvolio

(Romeo)

O sweet Juliet, your beauty has made me feminine, and has softened the hard steel of my nature.

Benvolio

O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio's dead! His gallant spirit has climbed up to the clouds, having left the earth too soon.

Romeo

We haven’t seen the end of the fallout from this awful, fateful day. This is just the beginning of a sorrow that future days will end.

Benvolio

Here comes angry Tybalt back again.

O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio's dead!

That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds,

Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.

Romeo

This day's black fate on more days doth depend;

This but begins the woe, others must end.

Benvolio

Here comes the furious Tybalt back again.

Romeo

Alive in triumph and Mercutio slain!

Away to heaven respective lenity,

And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now.

[Re-Enter Tybalt]

Now, Tybalt, take the ‘villain’ back again,

Romeo

How can he be alive and triumphant and Mercutio’s killed? I’ve had enough of my considerate mercy, and now I will act with fiery fury! Now, Tybalt, take back what you said about me being a villain or else, for Mercutio’s soul has not yet flown far away, and it’s waiting for yours to keep him company. Either you or me, or both of us, must go with him.

Tybalt

You, you wretched boy that hung out with him here, you’ll go with him in the afterlife.

That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio's soul

Is but a little way above our heads,

Staying for thine to keep him company.

Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.

Tybalt

Thou wretched boy, that didst consort him here,

Shalt with him hence.

Romeo

This shall determine that.

[They fight; Tybalt falls]

Benvolio

Romeo, away, be gone!

The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain.

Romeo

We’ll see about that.

Benvolio

Romeo, you have to get away, hurry! There are people around and Tybalt’s lying here dead. Don’t stand there stupefied. The prince will condemn you to death if you’re arrested. Go, get out, get away!

Romeo

Oh, I’m fate’s toy!

Benvolio

What are you waiting for?

Stand not amazed. The prince will doom thee death

If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away!

Romeo

O, I am fortune's fool!

Benvolio

Why dost thou stay?

[Exit Romeo, Enter Citizens]

First Citizen

Which way ran he that killed Mercutio?

Tybalt, that murderer, which way ran he?

Benvolio

There lies that Tybalt.

First Citizen

First Citizen

Which we did Mercutio’s killer run? Which way did Tybalt run, that murderer?

Benvolio

There lies that Tybalt.

First Citizen

Get up, sir, go with me. I charge you in the prince’s name to obey.

Prince

Where are the vile men who started this fight?

Up, sir, go with me;

I charge thee in the princes name, obey.

[Enter Prince, attended; Montague, Capulet, their Wives, and others]

Prince

Where are the vile beginners of this fray?

Benvolio

O noble prince, I can discover all

The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl.

There lies the man, slain by young Romeo,

That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio.

Lady Capulet

Tybalt, my cousin, O my brother's child!

Benvolio

Oh noble prince, I can explain it all, everything that happened as a result of this fateful brawl. There’s the man Romeo killed, the one who slew Mercutio.

Benvolio

It was Tybalt, who lies here dead after Romeo killed him. Romeo spoke kindly to him, urged him to stop and think about how silly the fight was, and mentioned your official disapproval. Everything he said, with his calm expression, even voice, and humble posture, could not ease Tybalt’s anger, for Tybalt was deaf to talk of peace. Tybalt struck at Mercutio with his sword, and Mercutio, who was just as angry, met him in that fight. They fought with warlike pride. Tybalt held death at bay with one hand and Mercutio threatened him with death again in turn, but Tybalt nimbly pushed back.

Of Tybalt, deaf to peace, but that he tilts

With piercing steel at bold Mercutio's breast,

Who, all as hot, turns deadly point to point,

And, with a martial scorn, with one hand beats

Cold death aside, and with the other sends

Performance

Lines 151-174

[Click to launch video.]

It back to Tybalt, whose dexterity,

Retorts it. Romeo, he cries aloud,

'Hold, friends. Friends, part!' and swifter than his tongue,

His agile arm beats down their fatal points,

And 'twixt them rushes; underneath whose arm

An envious thrust from Tybalt hit the life

Benvolio

Romeo cried out “Stop, friends!” and tried to bat down their swords faster than his own cry. He rushed between them, and underneath his arm, Tybalt fatally stabbed brave Mercutio, and then Tybalt ran off. He came back not much later for Romeo, who had just begun to think of revenge, and they went at it as quick as lightning. Before I could even draw my sword to break up the fight, stout-hearted Tybalt was killed, and as he fell to the ground Romeo turned and fled. This is the truth. I stake my life on it.

Of stout Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled.

But by and by comes back to Romeo,

Who had but newly entertained revenge,

And to 't they go like lightning; for, ere I

Could draw to part them, was stout Tybalt slain,

And, as he fell, did Romeo turn and fly.

This is the truth, or let Benvolio die.

Lady Capulet

He is a kinsman to the Montague;

Affection makes him false, he speaks not true.

Some twenty of them fought in this black strife,

And all those twenty could but kill one life.

I beg for justice which thou, prince, must give.

Lady Capulet

He’s a relative of the Montagues. Affection for them twists his words, he’s not telling the truth. There were twenty or so fighting in this dreadful quarrel, and Romeo was the only one who killed. I beg for justice, Prince. You must give us justice. Romeo killed Tybalt, so Romeo cannot live.

Prince

Romeo killed Tybalt, and Tybalt killed Mercutio. Who now will pay for Mercutio’s life?

Montague

Not Romeo, Prince, he was Mercutio’s friend. His transgression was killing Tybalt, but the law would have condemned Tybalt to death anyway.

Romeo slew Tybalt; Romeo must not live.

Prince

Romeo slew him; he slew Mercutio.

Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe?

Montague

Not Romeo, prince, he was Mercutio's friend;

His fault concludes but what the law should end,

The life of Tybalt.

Prince

And for that offense

Immediately we do exile him hence.

Performance

Lines 185b-196

[Click to launch video.]

I have an interest in your hate's proceeding,

My blood, for your rude brawls, doth lie a-bleeding.

But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine

Prince

And for the offense let him be immediately exiled. I am not indifferent to the outcome of your feud. My family lies bleeding because of your uncivilized brawls. I will punish you with such a heavy fine that you will all regret the loss of my kinsman, Mercutio. I will not hear any pleading or excuses. Neither tears nor prayers will lighten the punishment, so don’t try either. Let Romeo depart quickly, or else, if he’s found here, he’ll be put to death immediately. Bring in Mercutio’s body and obey me. Mercy only does harm when it pardons those who kill.